Jarryd Dillas came from behind to capture a maiden Johnnie Walker Classic title at Ocean View Golf Course yesterday.

The Mid Ocean Club amateur had his work cut out having started the final round trailing overnight leader Camiko Smith by three-shots, tied for second along with former European Tour player Kim Swan and Delyone Borden.

However, Dillas was equal to the task as he shot a sizzling four-under 66 to finish at even-par 140 and pip professionals Nick Jones and Smith by a solitary stroke.

“My goal was to try to get back to even for the tournament,” said Dillas, whose round included an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys. “I knew it would take good golf to catch Camiko, so I figured if I set myself a mini goal of getting back to even that would give myself a chance.”

Dillas made a wobbly start to the round after dropping a shot on the opening par-5 hole.

However, an eagle at the par-4, third gave him some much needed momentum which he maintained the rest of the way.

“I drove the third green and holed the putt to make an eagle two which kind of kick started everything,” Dillas added. “I hit a really good drive and had probably about a 20-footer and got that one to fall.

“I really played some nice golf from there on in. Tee to green, it was really solid. I hit a couple of shots close and was able to make a few of the putts today.”

Dillas’s maiden title at the event ranks high on his list of career achievements.

“It’s really a proud achievement for me to be honest,” he added. “It’s one of my proudest achievements on the golf course and all the credit goes to Brian [Ocean View head professional Brian Morris] and his team”

Dillas was also full of praise for the course and the organisers of the tournament.

“The course was in really good shape and it was a fun two days. I really enjoyed it,” said Dillas.

“It’s a classic event and it’s a testament to Brian and the entire staff up at Ocean View. It’s a really great event from players’s perspective and it’s a pleasure to play in it.

“I’ve played the event a few times which is far and away second only to the Bermuda Championship on the local calendar,” he said.

Jones shot the lowest round of five-under 65, which contained six birdies and one bogey, to finish tied with Smith for first in the professional division and second overall at one-over 141.

Smith began the round with a good head start but was unable to finish the job after coming in with an even-par 70, that included one birdie and a bogey.

Christopher Smith (143) finished third among the professional field followed by past winner Chaka DeSilva (147) in fourth and Scott Roy (149) in fifth respectively.

Swan, the most senior professional in the field at 65, finished a respectable sixth at ten-over 150.

Morris, who is battling stage four brain cancer, also did well to finish two shots adrift in seventh.

Also finishing at 12-over 152 was Morris’s Ocean View stablemate, Allan Bradshaw, who rallied from a three-shot deficit to win the senior division.

Bradshaw carded a one-over 71 which left him four shots clear of Calvin Hendrickson, who held a share of the 18-hole lead with Larry Brangman.

Aaron James finished second behind Dillas in the amateur division at 13-over 153, with Mark Ray rounding off the top three a further two shots adrift.

“It was an awesome event,” Morris said. “Well run, well participated.

“It was some awesome golf. Guys were shooting even par; it was a five-under today, a four-under today, a two-under today.

“All-in-all it was an awesome golf tournament. Honestly I think it’s the top amateur tournament in Bermuda.”